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Gigi Hadid ‘sick to stomach’ after name appeared in Epstein files
Gigi Hadid has revealed how ‘disturbing’ it was to realise she was named in the Epstein files after being pushed by a fan to speak out.
The model, 30, and her sister Bella, 29, were mentioned in emails sent by convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, made public by the US Department of Justice.
Over 3 million pages have been steadily released, containing FBI tips, wire transfer confirmations, private jet itineraries and paperwork about children’s school enrolment.
While some names have led to investigations, such as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, others were mentioned in emails without ever meeting the disgraced financier.
Gigi replied to a fan on Instagram after they said they unfollowed her as she hadn’t spoken ‘about those files’.
‘Horrible to read someone you’ve never met speak about you that way. Especially in this context,’ she wrote back in a now removed comment.
According to E! News, Gigi explained that she hadn’t wanted to say anything as she didn’t want to ‘take away from the stories of real victims of his’.
‘Your comment made me realise maybe it’s not clear – and it’s important to let you know,’ the model who shares a daughter with Zayn Malik added.
Gigi’s name appeared alongside her sister’s in emails from 2015 between Epstein and a redacted person.
The unnamed individual asked: ‘How did the Hadid sisters became models and make so much money?! I don’t understand…’
Epstein replied You know’, to which the other person replied that their father, real estate developer Mohamed Hadid, had ‘paid’ the agency.
The disgraced financier responded ‘no’ and later added it was ‘Because they follow directions, it’s that simple.’
Gigi and Bella signed with IMG Models in 2012, rising to become two of the most sought-after models at the time in the new wave of supermodels.
Her modelling career had actually begun when she was two years old, when she featured in Baby Guess adverts.
In her post, the mum of one acknowledged she had grown up ‘privileged’, but her parents had ‘protected me and taught me the value of hard work’.
‘The same hard work that got them to this country and gave them careers,’ she continued.
‘To be named in those files, I think I was 20-21 at the time he would have written that email – is disturbing, and I want to state unequivocally that I have never had any affiliation with that disgusting human being.’
She added to the original poster that she was ‘sending love’ and thanked them for their support.
There is no indication that Gigi, her sister or their parents ever met Epstein or visited his island.
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